# NTSB GAA18CA284: Yakovlev YAK 52, N81FS, Bayou La Batre, AL, May 5, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 5, 2018, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Bayou La Batre, AL - Coordinates: 30.455278, -88.211112 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4553&lon=-88.2111&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 24, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97275 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA284 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97275/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97275 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA284 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper planning for landing on a wet grass airstrip, which resulted in a runway overrun. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Yakovlev YAK 52, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9830220), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Yakovlev YAK 52, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?model=9830220), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Yakovlev YAK 52, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=9830220), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Yakovlev YAK 52, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=9830220), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Yakovlev YAK 52, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=9830220), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Yakovlev YAK 52, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=9830220), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Yakovlev YAK 52, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=9830220), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Yakovlev YAK 52, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=9830220), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot in the experimental, exhibition airplane, he departed from a grass airstrip about 1 hour after a rain shower. After a 15-minute pleasure flight, he landed on the same wet grass airstrip. He reported that the airplane touched down about 700 ft past the 2,000-ft-long runway's threshold at 75 knots with full flaps and the trim set nose up. He applied the brakes multiple times, but the airplane overran the departure end of the runway. The airplane's groundspeed was about 13 knots when the right wing struck a fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing aileron. In the recommendation section of the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot asserted that the accident could have been prevented if he had taken into consideration "the reduced traction offered by the wet grass." The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot in the experimental exhibition airplane, he departed a grass airstrip about an hour after a rain shower. After a 15-minute pleasure flight, he landed on the same wet grass airstrip. He reported that the airplane touched down about 700ft past the runway threshold of the 2,000ft runway at 75 knots, with full flaps and the trim was set nose up. He applied the brakes multiple times, but the airplane overran the departure end of the runway. The airplane's ground speed was about 13 knots when the right wing struck a fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing aileron. Per the National Transportation Safety Board, Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, in the Recommendation section, the pilot asserted that the accident could have been prevented if he had taken into consideration, "the reduced traction offered by the wet grass." The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N81FS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N81FS), registered now, S/N 9311704 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: YAKOVLEV YAK 52 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Yakovlev YAK 52](https://openairdocs.org/model/yakovlev-yak-52) (registry code 9830220) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 9311704 - Year built: 1993 - Engines: Vedeneyev M14P 360 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Red Star Aero Services LLC. - Registered owner: Red Star Aero Services LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 5R7, Bayou La Batre, AL - Destination: 5R7, Bayou La Batre, AL - Airport: 5R7, Roy E Ray, runway 36, 2,000 × 150 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 15, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 252.6 total, 40 in this make and model, 210 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KBFM, 13 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20180505004689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180505004689A), May 5, 2018: Yakovlev YAK 52, Irvington, AL, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that he landed and had limited braking action due to wet grass runway. Went into fence at the end of the runway with damage to right aileron.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 17, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97275. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466741&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466742&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.